Album Reviews

Bruno Mars – ‘The Romantic’ review: more soulful bops from pop’s silver-tongued loverman

The global superstar still might not be baring his soul in his lyrics, but his fourth solo album – and first in a decade – presents a more mature deployment of romantic clichés

Gorillaz – ‘The Mountain’ review: a world-building ode to death and starting over

Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett and their cartoon counterparts get deep on this spiritual tour of sound with guests from this world and the next

Mitski – ‘Nothing’s About To Happen To Me’ review: wit and warmth define her best album yet

The indie darling-turned-pop favourite is deliciously wry as she confronts the weight of viral stardom and success on LP eight

Baby Keem – ‘CA$INO’ review: upping the ante with a confident, focused return

Five years on from his debut, the Vegas rapper makes his comeback with a reflective record about family, fame and survival

Peaches – ‘No Lube So Rude’ review: electroclash icon raises her freak flag into battle

Dipping into her bottomless reservoir of sex puns, the Canadian musician excoriates those trying to strip away queer rights on slick seventh album

Yungblud – ‘Idols’ and ‘Idols II’ review: a king-sized statement from the crown prince of rock

Over the course of his two-part “rock opera”, Dominic Harrison supercharges his internal redemption arc with vast, towering Brit-rock

Charli XCX – ‘Wuthering Heights’ review: delicious gothic pop for a winter of yearning

Film might be the pop star’s new source of inspiration post-‘Brat’, but this soundtrack album proves her musical instincts remain razor-sharp

Feng – ‘Weekend Rockstar’ review: A visionary indie-pop-rap blend with short-sighted bars

The Croydon underground rap star gives us a glimpse into his glamorous new LA lifestyle on his debut album

Hemlocke Springs – ‘The Apple Tree Under The Sea’ review: colourful, concept-driven alt-pop from a future star

The former NME Cover artist’s long-awaited debut album glows with vibrancy, freedom and ingenuity

Cardinals – ‘Masquerade’ review: Ireland’s next great hope deliver scorched truths

In their quest for a “classic”, Cork’s gothy young punks show promise and serve up darkness and anxiety on a debut of two halves